A notorious convicted triple-killer accused of a series of a sex crimes has made an application for bail, but details about the court hearing cannot be reported after a magistrate kicked journalists out.
Regina Kaye Arthurell, 75, was arrested by police in Campbelltown on January 28 and charged with four counts of sexually touching a 55-year-old man without consent.
Ms Arthurell has entered no pleas to the charges which were laid 14 months after her release from jail, where she has spent most of her life following two convictions for manslaughter and another for murder.
Ms Arthurell spent another week behind bars after her latest arrest before she chose to apply for bail in Campbelltown Local Court on Friday.
Wearing glasses and a face mask, Ms Arthurell appeared in court via videolink from Silverwater’s Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC).
After her lawyer Michelle Macdonald tendered written submissions and police presented an amended version of alleged facts surrounding Ms Arthurell’s case, Magistrate Susan McGowan announced the court would be closed.
When journalists questioned why the court was being shut and raised the prospect of challenging the decision, Magistrate McGowan directed them to read a Supreme Court judgement.
The judgement related to requests by media outlets to access court documents associated another case involving Ms Arthurell last year, in which she was hit with an extended supervision order by Justice Richard Button.
In that case, Justice Button prevented the media from accessing the court documents after it emerged Ms Arthurell lost housing and her potential “rehabilitation” was put at risk after her address was obtained by journalists.
Before closing the court Magistrate McGowan also told journalists it was early in the proceedings and that she would advise against publishing information about the bail hearing.
In addition, Magistrate McGowan mentioned legislation which prevents publication of material which would identify victims of sexual offences, like the man Ms Arthurell was alleged to have touched.
The legislation does prevent naming of alleged or guilty offenders, or reporting on bail hearings in an open court.
Defence lawyer Michelle Macdonald and the police prosecutor did not speak against Magistrate McGowan’s decision.
After the bail hearing took place behind closed doors a NSW Local Court spokesman said Ms Arthurell’s application for bail was refused by Magistrate McGowan who had determined there was an unacceptable risk she would commit a serious offence, endanger community safety or interfere with witnesses or evidence.
The case returns to court on February 11.
